Fishing The Urangan Pier.

Summer Whiting are caught between September and May. They seem to bite best on northerly winds, particularly on the north side of the sand spit, or close to the beach when the tide is three quarters full to full. On occasions, they bite very well at high tide on the sand spit when the water is discoloured by the north wind. Summer Whiting bite best on spring tides when there is more run in the water. The best baits are yabbies and worms.

Winter Whiting are not often caught from the pier although some are taken in the first gutter during the period from May to June.

Garfish are caught regularly from the pier almost all year round, with the exception of the coldest winter months. For some reason they only bite profusely when the tide is going out and they are then caught on the western side of the pier. They are caught mainly near the beach but often become quite thick on the sand spit in the first hour or so after high tide. Anglers need a fly hook and float, and the best baits are yabbies and a dough mix. Garfish prefer reasonably clear water, not usually being taken when it is discoloured.

Bream are caught all year round - in the first gutter in summer and in the deeper waters during winter. They are best fished for with the bait close to the piles, and as light a sinker as the current permits should be used. Neither the time of the tide nor the colour of the water seems to affect them, unless the water is extremely discoloured. The best baits are yabbies, Mullet Gut and fresh Fish Fillets.

Flathead are caught all year round in both deep and shallow water, although few are caught in the shallows during the coldest months. At certain times their marks can be clearly seen at low tide on the sand spit and in the first gutter, and these are the places to fish when the tide is in. The time of the tide does not seem to matter, although the best results are achieved in the early morning or late afternoon. The best baits are Live Herring or live Pike. Few large fish are taken on anything other than live bait.

School Mackerel are present between September and May, they can be caught at any time of the tide, but best catches are usually taken an hour either side of high tide, either in the first gutter or on the deeper side of the sand spit. Thin wires and gang hooks should be used. The best baits are Live Herring, Pilchards, Squid strip and fresh fillets.

The Broad Barred Mackerel is also taken between September and May. These fish grow up to approximately 8Kg and are usually taken in the deeper water towards the end of the pier. The best results are achieved by casting a lure into the current and retrieving it as quickly as possible. Some fish are taken on live bait but the greatest success remains with the crocodile type lure. Broad Barred Mackerel often feed on Rain Fish or small Hardy Heads adjacent to the piles and their presence is obvious by the continued nervousness of these small fish.

Odd Spanish Mackerel taken all year round in the deeper water, particularly in April and May. Specimens up to 30kg are not uncommon. Best baits are Live Pike and Herring with the odd fish taken on Lures. Mackerel are clean fighters and very rarely head for the piles when hooked. All species of Mackerel seem to prefer the neap type tides when the water is clearer and there is less current. If the water is discoloured by strong winds (particularly the north wind) it is a waste of time fishing for them. Care should be taken it eating the Spanish Mackerel. some specimens in the Bay have CIGUATERA poisoning, although to local knowledge a poisoned fish has never come from the pier. Both School and Broard Barred Mackerel seem, however, to be unaffected.

Queenfish: Occasionally they appear in large numbers and provide excellent sport. They prefer the clearer, deeper water and are taken between October and May. Best baits are live Pike and Herring. Many good specimens are taken on Lures.

Golden Trevally: These fish are taken in the summer months and can be caught in the deeper water and also in the first gutter. Best results are achieved just inside the sand spit an hour before and after high water. Specimens average between 7kg and 11kg and provide excellent sport. Best baits are live Herring, small Pike and whole, fresh Pencil Squid. They are at their best during December and January.

Turrum: These big fish have been taken up to 30kg. They sometimes appear in Schools of up to a dozen or so and on occasions will demolish a School Mackerel being reeled in by an angler. They can only be caught by using a thick cord line with a heavy wire trace and large shark hook. As soon as they are hooked they head for the piles, and soon cut off any conventional gear. Bait used is whole School Mackerel or Mullet .

Yellowtail Kingfish: Large specimens between 7kg and 18kg appear in the warmer months and are usually most active between March and May. It is not unusual to see Schools of 20 to 30 large fish travelling along the pier close to the piles, even into shallow water. When they are about it is not hard to get a bite using live bait, but it is much harder to land the fish as they invariably head straight for the closest pile. Odd fish cooperate and swim away from the pier but most are lost, much to the desperation of the angler. Some regulars use 45kg lines and catch the fish by lifting its head from the water as soon as it is hooked, thus preventing it from reaching the piles. The fish are, however, reluctant to bite on the heavier lines. Best baits are Live Herring and Pike.

Tuna: Specimens of this fighting fish are caught between September and May and are usually at their best between March and May. The average fish weighs 9kg but specimens up to 18kg are taken. They prefer the deeper water and like the Mackerel, do not appreciate discoloured water. They make their presence obvious by chasing the small bait fish and breaking the surface of the water in their frenzy. Best results are achieved by using a light line up to11kg with no gear other than the hook attached. A Live Herring affixed to the hook so that it can swim freely. The more active the bait, the more likely the angler is to achieve a hook-up. Tuna are clean fighters and will usually head for the open water rather than the piles.

Jewfish: These fish are present on and off all year round. The best month is probably May, but even better results are obtained after a fresh in the Mary River where the fish travel or are washed out to sea. Specimens range from small School Jew to the larger fish of up to 14kg, although much larger fish have been taken. Greatest success is achieved by keeping the bait close to the piles in deep water with Live Herring or Pike or fresh Fish Fillets as bait.

Trumpeter (Javelin Fish): Odd specimens are caught all year round but they are most prevalent when there is fresh water after a flood or fresh in the Mary River. They are caught in a similar manner to Jewfish.

Cod, Coral Trout; Blue Parrot and other reef fish. These species are regularly taken from the end section of the pier with odd specimens caught in the deeper water.

Barramundi and Salmon: Magnificent fish up to 14kg were taker under the lights at night several years ago, mainly between November and January. Odd fish are still caught and it is hoped that these fish may reappear in greater numbers.

Mullet: Large Schools regularly appear on the making tide in the first gutter and are pursued by the younger anglers who catch them.

Bait Fish: Herring: Except for the months of June and July, and where the water is badly discoloured by the north wind, these excellent bait fish can be easily caught. Until a couple of years ago, they were caught on a rig called the "Yo-Yo", comprising a set of half a dozen small silver suicide hooks rigged at small intervals up an 4kg line with a bean sinker attached to the end of the line. The line is thrown into the current and "yoyoed" up and down. Much to the amazement of the average tourist the Herring bite on the bare hooks. Today, far better results are achieved by using the ready-made "Bait Chaser" which comprises the same idea as the "Yo-Yo" but uses feathers and beads attached to the hooks. If Mums and Dads want to keep the kids amused, they should buy them a "Bait Chaser" each and set them loose on the pier. They are readily available at all local tackle shops.

Pike: While some people eat them, Pike are usually regarded on the pier as an excellent bait fish. They are thicker during the cooler months. They are caught using the same method as for Herring. Small strip baits also prove successful.

Squid: Pencil and local Squid can be caught all year round. Until a couple of years ago they could only be caught with a spear or a jag. We are now blessed with the "Squid Jig" which is manufactured to resemble a large prawn and which seems irresistible to the average Squid. These jigs can be purchased at any local tackle shop and while expensive they do achieve excellent results